Bubba Wallace on NASCAR return: Some people “want to see us fail”
Bubba Wallace believes there are “some people out there that want to see us fail” when NASCAR makes its bold return to racing after the coronavirus pandemic hiatus at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Sunday.

The driver of the #43 Chevy for Richard Petty Motorsports believes the eyes of the American sporting world will be on NASCAR this weekend, as it becomes the first major motorsports series to race following the lockdown measures and sporting restrictions imposed across the world. The Cup Series will return to live action Sunday afternoon, with a 400-mile race at Darlington.
NASCAR has put in place many health safeguards to run this weekend’s event safely behind closed doors. These include screenings, social distancing, compartmentalization, and the use of personal protective equipment – face masks and gloves – that must be followed at all times while at the track.
Wallace told The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN that he doesn’t think everyone is wishing the series well, and that some will “nitpick” if the guidelines aren't followed to the letter.
“I think we are setting the tone for how this goes,” said Wallace. “I think there will be a lot of eyes on us because one, sports will be back on TV and two, there are some people out there that want to see us fail and can nitpick at every little thing if we don’t follow the right guidelines.”
Read Also:
All NASCAR drivers, team personnel and officials will be subject to health screening, with fines threatened to any members who are caught breaking these rules.
Of his own health situation, Wallace said: “I’m as healthy as I can be right now. We are all on eggshells with the screening process, what goes down and takes place. It’s just kind of nerve-wracking because if one driver has it, it can all be taken underneath them. We are all taking extra measures [to be] ready physically, emotionally, mentally.”
Read Also:
Wallace also said that he doesn’t think it will take long for drivers to shake off their initial caution for Sunday’s race, for which the grid has been decided by a random draw, despite a break in competition that stretches back to Phoenix on March 8. There will be no practice nor qualifying sessions, ahead of the race itself.
“I think we are all going to be mindful,” he said of the opening lap. “We don’t know what the cars are going to do diving into Turn 1 at one of the craziest, most historical places such as Darlington.
“We will all be cautious, but don’t know when that might switch off, maybe lap two?”

Previous article
Ryan Newman: "I feel like a complete walking miracle"
Next article
Alex Bowman gets 2021 Hendrick Motorsports contract extension

About this article
Series | NASCAR Cup |
Drivers | Bubba Wallace |
Author | Charles Bradley |
Bubba Wallace on NASCAR return: Some people “want to see us fail”
Trending
From the archive: Dale Earnhardt’s final Autosport interview
The death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked NASCAR to the core. At the Daytona 24 Hours, two weeks before his fatal accident, ‘The Intimidator’ shared his expectations of challenging for an eighth Cup title with JONATHAN INGRAM, in an article first published in the 15 February 2001 issue of Autosport magazine. Little did we know then what tragedy would unfold…
The lasting NASCAR legacy after Dale Earnhardt’s death
On February 18, 2001, seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt – the fearless ‘Intimidator’ – was in his element at Daytona International Speedway. While his own DEI team’s cars ran 1-2 towards the finish line, his famed #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo was playing rear gunner to block any late runs from the chasing pack. As the cars tore through Turns 3 and 4 on that fateful final lap, Earnhardt maintained the strongarm tactics that encapsulated his persona… but his actions in those moments sadly proved to be his last.
Inspired by Pitbull, the “revolution” sweeping through NASCAR
The NASCAR Cup Series is changing. Whether it be the gradual morphing out the seasoned drivers of yesterday as the next generation step up, a radical calendar shake-up featuring more road courses than ever before and the prospect of an all-new car on the horizon, stock car racing’s highest level is nearing the end of a huge facelift.
The NASCAR storylines to watch out for in 2021
This weekend's Daytona 500 kickstarts a NASCAR Cup season that promises plenty of intrigue courtesy of new owners and a refreshed calendar. Here's what you need to know ahead of the new season…
Why Kyle Larson can't blow his big shot at redemption
From a disgraced NASCAR exile, Kyle Larson has been given a chance of redemption by the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports squad. Effectively replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is no easy billing, but Larson has every intention of repaying the team's faith...
Why Roger Penske is an American motorsport icon
In this exclusive one-on-one interview, Roger Penske reveals the inner drive that has made him not only a hugely successful team owner and businessman but also the owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar. He spoke to David Malsher-Lopez.
Why NASCAR's latest second-generation champion is just getting started
Chase Elliott's late charge to the 2020 NASCAR Cup title defied predictions that it would be a Kevin Harvick versus Denny Hamlin showdown. While the two veterans are showing no signs of slowing down, Elliott's triumph was a window into NASCAR's future…
Why Kyle Larson deserves his second chance in a cancel culture
“You can’t hear me? Hey n*****” Those fateful words uttered by Kyle Larson, spoken into his esports headset on April 12, were directed at his sim racing spotter – but instead they quickly became amplified around the world via social media, including his own Twitch stream.